VOA News
24 Apr 2003, 15:33 UTC
A top Iranian official has rejected U.S. suggestions that Tehran is interfering in Iraq's transition to a new government.
Iranian Foreign Minister Kamal Kharazi says Iran has no role in Iraqi affairs and is not seeking to promote the role of Shi'ite Muslims, who make up the majority of the population in both countries.
Mr. Kharazi made his comments Thursday, at a joint news conference with visiting French Foreign Minister Dominique de Villepin in Tehran. He also stated that Iran would defend its borders, one day after the U.S. Central Command said U.S. troops have started patrols near the Iranian border in northeastern Iraq.
On Wednesday, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the United States has made it clear to Iran not to interfere with Iraq's road to democracy. The White House was reacting to a New York Times report that Iranian agents have entered southern Iraq to build ties with Shi'ite Muslim clerics,with an eye towards advancing Iranian interests.
The newspaper, citing U.S. intelligence reports, says some of the Iranian agents belong to the military wing of an Iraqi exile group called The Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq. The group gets training and support from the Iranian government. Spokesman Fleischer did not confirm the report but said anyone outside Iraq intending to create what they believe is best for the Iraqi people would likely fail.
Asked about the report, Mr. Kharazi said Thursday that the group (also known as the Badr Brigade) is an Iraqi movement and does not include any Iranians. Jay Garner, the retired American general in charge of Iraq's reconstruction, told reporters Thursday, that Iran has influenced recent Iraqi protests against the U.S. presence in the country.
U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said earlier this week that an Iranian-style government dominated by conservative Shi'ite Muslim clerics would be inconsistent with the democratic principles Washington hopes a new Iraqi government would adopt.
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LOL!! Ari is so awesome!